Russian Lawmakers Plan to Force Bookmakers to Pay ‘Gambling Addiction Rehabilitation Tax’
Summary
Russian lawmakers are proposing a new tax targeting legal bookmakers, aimed at funding treatment for gambling addiction sufferers. This initiative, led by Artem Metelev, the Chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Policy Committee, is currently under debate and could be enacted by the end of 2025.
The proposed tax would require bookmakers to contribute a percentage of their income to aid prevention and treatment programmes for gambling addiction, as well as anti-gambling advertisement campaigns on social media.
Key Points
- The new tax aims to support gambling addiction treatment and prevention initiatives.
- Proposed fines for illegal gambling promoters could rise significantly from 2,000 rubles to 7 million rubles.
- Lawmakers report that around 3 million Russians are affected by gambling-related issues.
- The initiative seeks to implement stricter regulations on illegal online gambling activities.
- Funds collected will also be used for improving gambling treatment methodologies and training healthcare professionals.
Why should I read this?
If you’re involved in the gambling industry, or just curious about the latest regulatory trends in Russia, this article is a must-read. It dives into how lawmakers plan to tackle the pressing issue of gambling addiction while placing new financial responsibilities on bookmakers. This proactive measure could have significant implications for the future of gambling operations in the country.